But the rain driving into his face, blinded him, as he had no hat to shelter his eyes, and the slats and roof being wet, rendered his position far more perilous.
But on he went, step by step, until he reached the chimney. It was breast high to him, and he noticed that it was very large.
From there down to the ground was a long way, and he saw no means of descending.
Perhaps upon the other side there was a ladder, he thought, and again it came to his mind that the men might have a rope ladder to bring with them.
If this was the case he was doomed, and, the thought in spite of the driving cold rain made him break out into a dense perspiration.
Leaping upon the chimney, for his experience as an amateur sailor had helped him, and he had often gone on board ships at the wharf and ascended to the highest point he could reach, he gazed over the side of the brickwork to see if there was aught to aid his descent.
But he saw that the roof was even with the chimney, so no ladder could go down it.
"They must hook a rope-ladder into the chimney in some way," he muttered, and he ran his hand around inside to find the hook, determined to tear his clothing in strips and make a rope, so that he might escape.
"Ah!" he said, as his hand touched a piece of iron.